Keeping Southeast Indianapolis residents informed of happenings in their community.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Charter Schools make up 6 of top 10

Mayor’s charters make up six of top 10 schools in county

Charter schools sponsored by Mayor Greg Ballard accounted for six of the 10 schools in Marion County that demonstrated the most improvement on ISTEP, according to data released today by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) under Public Law 221, the state’s accountability system. This also marks the fourth consecutive year that a Mayor-sponsored charter school made the most improvement in the county.

According to the IDOE:

• The school showing the most student improvement in Marion County is Herron High School, a Mayor-sponsored charter school. Last year, Fall Creek Academy was the most improved in the county and in prior years it was KIPP Indianapolis (2007) and the Andrew J. Brown Academy (2006) – all are charters sponsored by the Mayor.

• The other Mayor-sponsored charters in the top 10 were Fountain Square Academy, Flanner House Elementary School, Challenge Foundation Academy, Fall Creek Academy, and the Andrew J. Brown Academy.

• Of the 50 schools with the most student improvement statewide, 19 are public charter schools. Six are Indianapolis charters sponsored by the Mayor.

“Charter schools in Indianapolis are setting the tone for academic success and student growth,” said Mayor Ballard. “These schools continue to prove that students from disadvantaged backgrounds can and do succeed when given the opportunity. Charter schools are achieving incredible things, and these results demonstrate that without question.”